September 15, 2014 08:37 PM UTC

Supporting Net Neutrality

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• by: Helen

I submitted my last comment asking the FCC to regulate internet providers as common carriers today. I hope everyone submitted something this summer as net neutrality is vital to the existence of sites like this one. All the comments can be read at the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System Search for Filings page.

Here is my comment:

To FCC Commissioners Wheeler, Clyburn, O’Reilly, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O’Reilly

    I have read the four recent fillings submitted by Comcast, and I am deeply concerned. These filings are full of deceptive language, and it is obvious that this company thinks that the job of government is to help it make money. Instead, the job of government is to make sure that everyone, including major corporations, follows the law. We have decided as a society that internet access is vital to commerce, education,  and the pursuit of happiness. The FCC has the ability to protect internet access by declaring that internet providers are common carriers.

    A company may experience something as a “heavy-hand” because they cannot compete on a level playing field while most internet users would experience that standard as a “light-hand”. So might new businesses. While most people cannot travel to DC to meet with Commissioners in person, I am sure that those commissioners who have traveled have heard many people say that unequal access to the internet would feel harsh and heavy. Small businesses cannot pay more for decent internet access. Local government websites may be legally blocked from paying enough to provide access to all their citizens.

    Please regulate internet providers as common carriers.